- Fender Play is launching on Samsung TVs in early 2026
- The app will feature enhanced video and Dolby Atmos audio
- A larger screen aims to make learning clearer and less frustrating
- The move supports Fender’s push into education and audio tech
For the first time since its launch in 2017, Fender Play is stepping beyond phones, tablets, and laptops and into the living room. Fender has announced an exclusive global partnership with Samsung that will bring its popular learning platform directly to Samsung smart TVs, marking a significant shift in how beginners and hobbyists can learn guitar, bass, and ukulele.
The TV version of Fender Play is expected to arrive in the first half of 2026 and will roll out across 49 countries, spanning the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. While an exact release date and pricing details remain under wraps, the move signals Fender’s growing ambition to make music education more accessible and immersive.
This is not simply a case of stretching an existing app onto a bigger screen. Fender and Samsung are positioning the TV experience as something distinct, with features designed specifically for large displays and home audio systems.
A Learning Platform Designed for the Big Screen
According to Samsung, the TV version of Fender Play will include a dedicated jam mode that takes advantage of Samsung’s video processing and Dolby Atmos audio. For learners, this could be a meaningful upgrade.
Seeing chord shapes, finger placement, and strumming patterns clearly can make a huge difference, especially for beginners who struggle to translate small on-screen movements into real-world technique.
A larger screen also allows lessons to feel less cramped and more engaging. Instead of craning over a phone on a music stand or constantly pausing a laptop video, players can follow along comfortably from across the room.
That matters more than it might sound. Learning an instrument is already challenging, and friction at the setup stage is often enough to discourage practice altogether.
Fender Play’s strength has always been its structured, guided approach. Rather than sending learners down an endless rabbit hole of random online tutorials, it offers a clear progression path that builds skills gradually. On a TV, that structure could feel closer to having a private tutor in the room, especially when paired with better audio and visuals.
Why Fender Is Betting on Retention
Fender has never been shy about the business logic behind Fender Play. The company has long acknowledged that most beginners quit within their first year. Fender’s own data suggests that around 90 percent of new guitar players abandon the instrument early on, often due to frustration or lack of direction.
Fender Play was created to address that problem. The longer someone sticks with learning, the more likely they are to remain a musician for life. From Fender’s perspective, that loyalty eventually translates into instrument upgrades, amplifiers, accessories, and ongoing brand engagement.
Bringing Fender Play to TVs fits neatly into that strategy. A more comfortable, engaging learning experience could reduce drop-off rates and help more beginners push past the hardest early stages. Even a small improvement in retention has the potential to reshape the wider guitar market over time.
Part of a Bigger Fender Expansion
The Samsung partnership is also part of a broader expansion for Fender. In recent years, the company has been moving beyond guitars and amps into lifestyle and audio products, including Bluetooth speakers and headphones. This diversification suggests Fender is aiming to position itself as a complete music brand rather than just an instrument manufacturer.
Adding Fender Play to TVs reinforces that vision. It places Fender in the everyday living space, not just in rehearsal rooms and studios. For aspiring musicians, it lowers the barrier to practice. For Fender, it strengthens brand presence at every stage of the musical journey.
Pricing for the TV version has not yet been announced. Fender Play currently operates on a subscription model, with monthly and discounted annual options, and it remains to be seen whether Samsung TV owners will receive special offers. What is clear is that Fender sees home screens as the next frontier for music education.
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